In line Attenuators with Passive Preamps


Most digital sources output 2 volts or more. Most amplifiers come to full power at far less voltage. This scenario creates using much of the attenuation provided by a preamp.  One way around this is to use an in line attenuator between source and preamp.  

My questions are: 1) Should a in line attenuator be considered when using a passive pre?, 2) What in line attenuators might be useful? and, 3) What capacitive load do they add to the signal between source and amp? This would certainly be of importance when using a passive preamp.
mesch

Showing 2 responses by georgehifi

RE the in line attenuation, I have decided that I may have over thought this situation and no longer am considering the use of them.
I'm assuming the reason for asking about the inline attenuators is that maybe you feel your Schiit Sys volume control is coming on too fast still down low?
This could be a possibility if Schiit use a 10kohm pot, but a "linear one" and not a "logarithmic one", then it did only cost $49.
  
The Lightspeed is made so it behaves like a logarithmic pot, so it's volume will come on slow and build till you get to around 2o'clock after which it's volume increases far more rapidly.

Cheers George  
My questions are: 1) Should a in line attenuator be considered when using a passive pre?
No not a great idea unless you know your I/O impedances are still good, as they will change depending (where you put them) the input or output impedance matching, always for the worse, than what you had without them when using your passive preamp..

The best resistance value for a passive preamp is series/shunt 10kohm.
This value is high enough input impedance to suit 99% of sources (except high impedance >2kohm tube output sources)
And low enough to suit most poweramps inputs that are 33k or higher.

Cheers George